VMware Blockbuster: Maritz Out As CEO After Four-Year Tenure

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Paul Maritz is out as VMware CEO, and he is being replaced by Pat Gelsinger, president and COO of EMC's Information Infrastructure Products division, CRN has learned.

Multiple sources familiar with the situation confirmed the CEO switch to CRN Monday. But it is unclear if Maritz, who has led VMware since 2008, will be taking another position within EMC or leaving the company.

A VMware spokesperson declined to comment, citing company policy of not responding to "rumors or speculation." EMC did not respond to a request for comment.

Both Maritz, who joined EMC in 2008 in its acquisition of software startup Pi Corp, and Gelsinger, who joined EMC in 2009 after a 30-year career at Intel, have been rumored to be in line to replace EMC CEO Joe Tucci if and when he decides to retire.

With Gelsinger taking over as VMware CEO, it wouldn't be surprising to see Maritz get the nod for the top spot at EMC, one longtime partner of both vendors told CRN.

Maritz has taken VMware to the next level during his four years at the helm, said the source, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on internal VMware matters. "Maritz's departure would definitely be a loss for VMware, but Gelsinger has a great track record as well," he said.

Gelsinger is a "strong and very credible leader," said Jamie Shepard, executive vice president of technology solutions at ICI, a Marlborough, Mass.-based solution provider, when informed of the leadership change by CRN. "He knows the server CPU space, and his exposure to EMC and understanding of data intensive apps and how to store them would be a huge win for VMware," he said.

Another longtime VMware and EMC partner said he is surprised that it took this long for the lines to blur between EMC and VMware's leadership ranks. "I remember when EMC acquired VMware, and how it was all going to stay separate and they weren’t going to swap executives, but no one ever believed that," said the source.

XChange Solution Provider 2015 is finally upon us and the timing couldn't be better. The premier channel event is happening March 1-3 in Dallas, bringing together 225 solution provider decision makers from across North America. CRN is at the event to provide news, analysis and a firsthand take from partners.